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United States of America - Hanta virus infection - Update

10 September 2012 – Following the report of a number of hanta virus infections linked to overnight stays in the "Signature Tent Cabins" in Curry Village in Yosemite Valley, authorities now report one confirmed case of Hantavirus infection associated with staying in the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite Park in July. These camps are located in a different area of the park to Curry village.

Visitors who stayed overnight in these camps are also being provided with information on the symptoms of Hantavirus and advised to seek medical attention at the first sign of illness. Clinicians managing travelers returning from Yosemite park need to take particular attention to the incubation period as well as when travelers visited the park. Recent observation indicates that symptoms generally begin from one to six, potentially seven, weeks after exposure. Early symptoms include fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches. About half of patients will experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and abdominal pain. The disease progresses rapidly (4-10 days after initial symptoms) to include coughing, shortness of breath and severe difficulty breathing. Early medical attention for persons infected with hantavirus greatly improves the medical outcome. The types of Hantavirus that cause the infection in the United States cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

In addition to the Yosemite National Park non-emergency phone line (see previous announcement), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be contacted for questions and concerns related to Hantavirus in Yosemite at +1 877-232-3322 or +1 404-639-1510.